FaultScore

Mercedes Benz CL600 vs Volkswagen Golf R

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Mercedes Benz CL600 Volkswagen Golf R
Complaints on file 47 117
Model years covered 2001–2005 2012–2026
Worst model year 2017
Best model year 2024
Crashes reported 0 3
Fires reported 10 0
Injuries reported 2 4
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Suspension Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
Share of complaints involving harm 25.5% 6%

Mercedes Benz CL600 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Suspension 17 36.2%
Engine & Cooling 7 14.9%
Electrical System 5 10.6%
Brakes 3 6.4%
Body & Structure 3 6.4%
Lights 3 6.4%
Fuel & Propulsion 3 6.4%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 4.3%

Volkswagen Golf R by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 21 17.9%
Electrical System 15 12.8%
Brakes 14 12.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain 11 9.4%
Other & Unspecified 11 9.4%
Engine & Cooling 10 8.5%
Fuel & Propulsion 8 6.8%
Steering 4 3.4%